Abstract: Based on the previous studies of existed basin buffer zone, the Landsat TM/ETM+satellite remote sensing image data of the Chaohu Lake Basin were selected as the research area. Firstly, the classification of land use was carried out on the image of the study area. On this basis, the terrain features were extracted from each catchment area, and then the buffer width was set up for each catchment area. Finally, the environmental sensitivity was evaluated. The research results could provide scientific basis for land use planning, ecological management, environmental protection and tourism resources development in the Chaohu Lake Basin.

Key words: vegetation buffer, ecological health, ring Chaohu Lake